Sheri not done yet

The British

& Irish Lions

Tour to New Zealand 2017

Sheri not done yet

Andrew Sheridan may be moving to France next season but he hasn't given up hope of playing for England.

The double Lions tourist is leaving Sale Sharks for Toulon in the summer in a move that will make representing his country far harder than ever before.

With the Rugby Football Union stating it will only pick overseas-based players in exceptional circumstances, Sheridan is in danger of failing to add to his 40 England caps.

But the 32-year-old prop is hopeful that his injury-ravaged England career isn't over just yet.

"I haven't turned down playing for England - they may turn me down but while I am playing at a decent level I always want to be considered," Sheridan told the Daily Express.

"I haven't spoken to Stuart (Lancaster), but I have a standard contract with Toulon so I will be released in the IRB window and if I am selected I would be very happy to play.

"They have the 'exceptional circumstances' rule so it is up to them."

Sheridan, who won two Lions caps on the 2009 tour to South Africa having also been a squad member in New Zealand four years earlier, has just returned to action following a five-month injury lay off.

The former Bristol lock-turned-loosehead saw his 2011 World Cup campaign ended by a shoulder problem after the opening win over Argentina and he admits he questioned whether he could come back from what was his fourth shoulder operation in just two years.

Sheridan's most-recent injury ensured he wasn't even included in his country's Elite Player or Saxons squads ahead of the 6 Nations but he has been impressed with what he's seen from a new-look England.

"When I was injured at the World Cup I did think, 'Is this going to be it?'" added Sheridan, who will be interested spectator when England take on Wales on February 25.

"But the surgeon was adamant that I would be able to get back to playing at decent level. It was a long road, but it's nice to be back.

"To bring in a new management and a lot of new players and win their first two games away from home, England deserve a lot of credit.

"The performances are only going to get better as they play more together. We have some tough matches coming up, but there is no reason why we can't go on and do well.

"Wales have a particularly big, powerful backline and are playing some great rugby. But we have plenty of powerful athletes ourselves.

"Our scrum did pretty well in those first two games and we will have Courtney Lawes, who is a powerful athlete, and Manu Tuilagi to come in too. I don't think many people would question his power or fancy stopping him."